The President and Prime Minister are Making Life Less Secure for Jews

Doron facetimed when he arrived home from kindergarten yesterday. It was earlier than usual but he wanted to tell me about his day at school. “Saba” he said “today the whole school went on a field trip to another school.” He was just excited to explain the change in routine.

In fact, his Jewish day school, like others around America as well as Jewish Community Centers, were once again subject to anti-Semitic terrorism. Two years ago, along with colleagues and lay leadership representing the Jewish Agency for Israel we stood in front of a grocery store in Paris, we visited Jewish day schools with guards, and we met with the French Prime Minister in his office as he denounced anti-Semitic and other forms of terrorism.

I have heard the pronouncements from the White House. I have listened to the “outpouring” of congressional, gubernatorial, and clerical statements aghast at what is happening in or country and to the Jews. Alas, for the most part the statements, while genuine, are demonstrating an underlying though perhaps gentle unease with “others.”

I do not know President Trump nor his heart so I cannot characterize him as an anti-Semite. However, from his campaign statements and his actions as President it is clear to me that he has unleashed forces that make life less hospitable for so many in America now including us Jews.

One of the ironies is that Prime Minister Netanyahu has done or has allowed through his coalition the same sort of intolerant forces in Israel. Yesterday – Rosh Chodesh Adar – again, with the encouragement of the Chief Rabbinate intolerance and hatred of Jews toward other Jews was on display at the Kotel. It was another day that the Government failed to implement the Kotel agreement. It was another day that too many Jews denied the Jewishness of other Jews on both sides of the ocean. And it was another day that the Government senselessly destroyed Palestinian homes.

I am worried about what my grandson’s America and his Israel will be like in a few years. Yes, I know it is a tough world. But as Jews, Israelis and Americans we were always the good guys. Due to the actions as well as inaction of the President and Prime Minister, some would say with their encouragement, our world – as Jews, Americans, and Israelis – is more dangerous for Doron.

Rabbi Daniel R. Allen is the Executive vice Chairman Emeritus of the United Israel Appeal.

Reader Interactions

Comments

To write that
“President Trump…has unleashed forces that make life less hospitable for so many in America now including us Jews”- I don’t think is fair.

In his opening remarks in his first talk to Congress yesterday he chose to speak out against anti-Semitism. He also made efforts in that speech to honor Americans who deserve honor and happen to be Black.
There is a dangerous anti-semitism out there and it has indeed become more active after Trump took office but I don’t think, given what we know about his family- (for example, his father was very close to Jews and Trump was very close to his father) I don’t think it is correct nor fair to imply that Trump himself is a racist.
Personally, I don’t like Trump’s record on women and some other issues, but it seems to me that the extent to which he is being vilified by the media and by liberals is truly ridiculous. Was Bill Clinton a role model? Yet he was never vilified by the liberal press. I don’t blame Trump for feeling the media – with the exception of Fox news – have treated him unfairly.

The problem is that for Trump, antisemitism and racism are not deal breakers. If he wants an aide or advisor and that person speaks very ill of Jews, Black people, or any other minority, he hires them anyway. This empowers and validates their antisemitism and racism. Saying so is fair.

Last night he blamed us and/or suggested that we were responsible for threats against us to make other people look bad. This needs to be at the center of our attention today. It is reprehensible. Saying so is fair.

Well said, keep speaking out. As to the comment above that noted President Trump spoke about how horrible these threats and desecrations are, I don’t see him calling for renewed effort from the AG office, special prosecutors, increased funding to get to the sources, i.e. actions not just words. He has allowed anti-Semitic rhetoric and now actions to go on too long without calling them out. Whether or not he himself is anti-Semitic is irrelevant to me. How he behaves in the wake of more and more anti-Semitic acts? That is relevant, and sorely lacking in condemnation or actions to combat them. As to what’s going on in Israel, the Kotel, it’s exactly as you say. A shandeh on both sides of the world.

Primary Sidebar

Join The Conversation

What's the best way to follow important issues affecting the Jewish philanthropic world?
Our Daily Update keeps you on top of the latest news, trends and opinions shaping the landscape, providing an invaluable source for inspiration and learning.